Description
EV-400 Epoxy Varnish is a two-part varnish that gives superior protection and performance over older one-part “spar” varnishes. EV-400 is completely impervious to fabric cements and dope when cured, so there is no need to use a dope proof paint over it. Epoxy varnish may be used on either old or new wood. It can be brushed or sprayed and is applied without harm directly over old varnishes to provide superior solvent resistance and protection from fabric cements and dopes.
Clear gloss finish. Required for any wooden surface that Poly-Tak will be applied to when attaching fabric.
Sold as a kit, comprising of 1 quart EV-400 base component, 1 pint EV-410 catalyst. and 1 quart E-500 reducer. (Total volume 2.5 Quarts)
Epoxy Varnish may be applied with any spray equipment rated for lacquer or enamel. Flooding spray or brush coats will cause crawling and cratering over old finishes or dry first coats on new wood. Recommended dry coat thickness 1 to 1.5 mils. Contamination from oil base coatings leaching from old pressure pot hoses or contamination from unclean or soluble plastic or plastic lined containers used for mixing or measuring will cause crawling. Spray gun head should be dismantled to remove residue from previous coatings before applying Epoxy Varnish.
One Quart of Epoxy Varnish Base catalyzed and reduced 25% will cover approximately 150 sq. ft. with one coat. Note – 3 coats are recommended.
The surface must be clean, dry, free of wax, dirt, oil and grease. Old surfaces should be dry-sanded to remove any loose varnish and paint scale.
Use C-2210 Paint Surface Cleaner to remove grease and oil from new wood surfaces, old paint and varnish surfaces.
Pot Life-
The sooner varnish is applied after the induction period, the better the durability. Maximum pot life is 5 hours at 70 F. Discard materials when viscosity increases or becomes stringy when tested between the fingers. Do not add reducer to extend pot life after thickening occurs. Mix material fresh for each coat.
Cure Acceleration-
To shorten the cure time in cold weather, add EX-501 Epoxy Accelerator at a ratio of 1 to a maximum 3 liquid ounces to 1 Quart of catalyzed varnish, un-thinned. Stir thoroughly 1 ounce of EX-501 will reduce the pot life from 5 hours to 3 hours and curing time from approximately 7 days to 4 days at 70° F. Do not exceed 3 ounces per quart.
Re-Coating
Varnish coats which have aged more than 4 days should be dry scuff sanded with fine sandpaper or scotch brite pads to break the gloss surface and provide tooth adhesion. Wipe the scuffed surface with C-2210 Paint Surface Cleaner using new. clean rags or paper towels to thoroughly remove the sanding residue.
Use E-500 Epoxy Reducer for final flush cleaning before the varnish starts to polymerize in the equipment. MEK does not dissolve and flush all the epoxy resin from the equipment.
Thinning for Brush Application –
After the Varnish and Catalyst are mixed, reduce the first brush coat 25% with E500 Epoxy Reducer for good surface penetration. Second and optional third coats may be brushed un-thinned or applied with a spray gun using the method below, at 3 or 4 hour Intervals.
Thinning for Spray Gun Application-
Reduce the catalysed Varnish to spray gun viscosity by adding 25% E-500 Epoxy Reducer (19 to 21 seconds with a #2 Zahn viscosity cup). Additional thinning may be required in hot climates. Three spray coats are recommended at 3 to 4 hour intervals.
Dry to handle 3 to 5 hours. Full cure to develop solvent and chemical resistance is 7 days at 70 F. Lower ambient temperatures require a proportionally longer period. Full cured varnish will not be lifted by adhesives, fabric coatings, enamel or lacquer top coats.
Guaranteed shelf life, unopened, in protected storage at room temperature is 4 years from date of manufacture.
Avoid long-range storage above 100° F.
Not affected by freezing.
